For over 50 years, Aldea has been the essential community partner for children and families in crisis. We believe that in a family’s most critical moments, the company of a trusted professional can mean the difference between strength and suffering. Every day, our expert staff walks with young people on their journey to healing, providing the care that brings both short-term comfort and long-term resilience. Because with a community of support, they discover their own ability to create a new life, one moment at a time.
Our mission is to improve lives and create bright futures for people we serve by providing professional mental health, child welfare and support services in a manner that respects the dignity and individuality of each person.
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Aldea student interns provide culturally competent strengths-based services supporting clients ages 6-30 in diverse communities across several Aldea programs, including:
- Counseling Services (Specialty Mental Health Services and Psychiatric Services)
- Substance Use Disorder Services (including Prevention and Probation Services)
- Early Psychosis Treatment Program
- Victim Support Services for children served at the Napa Child Advocacy Center (Courage Center)
- Treatment Foster Care
- Emergency Foster Care Placement
- Adoption and Guardianship Services
Applying for an internship with Aldea is the first step toward an exciting educational experience, rich with professional and personal development opportunities, which prepares you for a fulfilling career in behavioral health or social services. Aldea provides:
- Group and one-on-one supervision in an open-door environment.
- Guided introduction to clinical interventions, Medi-Cal documentation, and client-facing services.
- Support and flexibility throughout your degree program.
- Advanced training opportunities that will prepare you to provide specialized and trauma-informed services, including advocacy for resource families and youth in care, clinical interventions, evidence-based best practices, and cultural humility.
- Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
- Agency leadership committed to creating an environment that is accepting and welcoming where it is safe for you to be yourself.
- A collaborative work environment where your ideas are valued.
- An organizational culture of respect for all persons and appreciation for diversity and lived experience.
- A pathway to employment at Aldea.
Testimonials
Guadalupe A., BSW Intern – University of Massachusetts Global
“It has been a huge relief to find a placement that understands I am a student first and cares about preparing me for the field. I have been presented with educational opportunities at Aldea that I feel will help me be a strong social worker.”Lulu T., MSW Intern – Walden University
“I have enjoyed being an intern for Aldea in the emergency placement program. It has allowed me to experience firsthand what a social worker does. My favorite part of being part of emergency placement is that is fast-paced, and you have to think ahead and propose possible long-term placement for the youth. It is fulfilling to know that you have placed a child into a safe home.”Joseph G., BSW Intern – University of Massachusetts Global
“My experience as an intern with Aldea has been great. One great thing that I experienced is doing the Supervised Visits with bio parents and their children. A notable experience is when I get to work with infants and their bio parents. My favorite moment is when the youth are reunified with their bio parents.”Esther S., MFT Intern – Pepperdine University
“I've been working as part of the Napa [Aldea Counseling Services] program since fall of 2021, and I feel lucky to have found an internship that provides a balance of autonomy, flexibility, as well as structure and support. I know I can go to my supervisor and colleagues with any question that comes up, and feel I've had the opportunity to explore the modalities which interest me, pursue additional trainings, and begin to carve out a 'niche' as I finish my Master's in Clinical Psychology, and eventually pursue licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist.”Charlene D., Masters in Counseling Psychology Student Intern
“Being an Aldea intern has been a wonderful learning experience! There are definitely challenges to a psychotherapy internship, however, it’s helpful and beneficial to have a community of fantastic coworkers, supervisors, and allies to shepherd me along in this process. I appreciate this opportunity to complete my internship at Aldea, as I’m learning a lot about how to care for clients in a therapeutic environment, the importance of efficient and effective administrative processes and having overall sense of advancement as I transition from being a student to an associate psychotherapist. I’m grateful to have this position and look forward to a continued relationship and collaboration with the Aldea organization in the future. Thank you!”Leah F., LMFT, Student Intern Clinical Supervisor
“Aldea Counseling Services provides clinical supervision for Masters level and pre-Masters level clinicians with the goal of supporting new therapists as they practice what they have learned in school, as well as teaching hands-on techniques that can only be learned when we do them ourselves. It has been demonstrated that clinical supervision is a protective factor for therapists of all experience levels, as it helps prevent burn-out and compassion fatigue. Aldea is a warm and inclusive place to train, and it is part of the focus of Aldea to enhance the professional development of all our clinicians. When working with trainees and interns, I strive to help individuals find their unique clinical “voice” and support each person as they help our children and families to heal. Working at a community non-profit is an opportunity to treat a variety of clients, and to build a skill set that will be valuable wherever the clinician works afterwards.”